Lithuania eyes more tourists from Oman
Lithuania’s goal of attracting more Omani tourists is an outcome of the growing ties between the two countries
RAHUL DAS rahuldas@timesofoman.com
VILNIUS (LITHUANIA): Fancy a hot air balloon ride in Europe? Well, you can have that very experience in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. From design shops to ‘breakfast’ at 3pm, Lithuania’s capital is abuzz with creativity.
A land of surprises, independent Lithuania (Lietuva) is fast being recognised as one of Europe’s gems and is now looking at Oman as the key target for future tourism growth.
Boleta Senkiene, honorary consul of Oman in Lithuania, said: “Oman and Lithuania have many things in common as both nations are very beautiful, clean, safe and the world’s most welcoming countries.”
“Lithuania is still a new destination to those in Oman, but we hope it will improve from this year because of the fantastic air connections with Turkish Airlines,” she said.
This month, she organised a Familiarisation Trip for the top travel agents in Oman in order to encourage tourists to visit Lithuania. The travel agents were shown various tourist attractions in Lithuania, its historical sites, landscapes, cuisine, Spas, etc. Lithuania’s goal of attracting more Omani tourists is an outcome of the growing relationship between the two countries that became even closer with Lithuania joining the euro zone and the opening of the honorary consulate in Lithuania.
Established in 2013, Oman is the only Arab nation to be represented by an honorary consulate in Lithuania. Two years in a row, in 2015 and 2016, Oman took part in the Vilnius Book Fair, where its colourful stand enjoyed enormous success and was visited by tens of thousands of people, including Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Lithuania.
In February 2017, a series of events representing Omani culture were held at the Town Hall of Vilnius. The programme included an exhibition of Omani photographers, lessons in traditional calligraphy and body painting, a concert of Arabic music and a lecture about Omani frankincense.
She also said: “Lithuania and Oman share an intensive relationship, which started around ten years ago when IT companies from Lithuania started coming to Oman to participate in the exhibition Comex. Then we got interest from other sectors in Oman from food to different technology. With excellent flight connections, we are expecting a high number of Omani tourists in Lithuania so that they can experience the tourist and cultural variety that our country has to offer. I am certain that the Omani people will discover an attractive country, which was also declared by both Lonely Planet and the Forbes magazine as a top international recommended tourist destination.”
Abdullah Omer Celik, General Manager for Turkish Airlines Muscat, said: “Judging from my own experience, I am sure that the Omanis will find Lithuania a magical and friendly tourist destination where they can enjoy a variety of their favourite attractions: historical sites, breath-taking views, shopping and much more. I am looking forward to seeing more Omanis travelling to Lithuania via Turkish Airlines.”
Besides all these, the towns of Druskininkai and Birstonas represent the ultimate in Lithuanian health spas and are famous for medical tourism all over the Europe. In these two small picturesque towns, famous for their natural mineral waters and peaceful environment, a number of spas with centuries of experience are available. “So if you are travelling to Lithuania, spa is a must,” said Renny Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Barakah Travel Management Company, Muscat .
The four-day trip has let the travel agents experience the destination first-hand, so they can adequately sell it to their clients. The participants explored Vilnius, Trakai, Birštonas and Kaunas and stayed in Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square Vilnius, Vytauto Mineral Spa at Birštonas and Harmony Park in Kaunas.